I’ve got a copper counter top to build Monday. In the past we’ve used various sorts of laminate type contact adhesive to glue 16 oz copper to a plywood substrate. ome of them come with warnings not to use them on copper and some don’t but we seem to get bubbling occaisionally, ie three times in twenty or so.
What are people using as an adhesive for copper counter tops that has resisted the bubbling problem?
Thanks
M
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Replies
Don't let it dry like CC, use it like a thin coat of glue.
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Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
Thanks
do I look for that GEOCEL 2310 BRUSHABLE TRIPOLYMER SEALANT at ABC supply or a paint store? ------------------
"You cannot work hard enough to make up for a sloppy estimate."
ABC will have it. I'd roll a thin coat and lay it up.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
Thanks, I'll call them in the morning.
Merry Christmas------------------
"You cannot work hard enough to make up for a sloppy estimate."
Same back at cha. Hey that Geocel is not cheap, but as an aside it can be thinned with Mineral Spirits and makes an awesome primer for wood or metal. I ran into the rep at a show and even tho' I had been using it for yrs, didn't know that lil tidbit.
So if ya have any left over in the gallon, a 50/50 mix will prime and seal endgrain wood like nothing you ever saw.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
So tell me more about a coper counter surface. What do you use for substrate? Two layers of mdf? How do you deal with seams?
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Just 3/4 cabinet ply usually but the harder the better so MDF would e an improvement. I generally put a 20" x 36" pad under the splice and strip the back with 2x4 and the front with 2x6 treated or southern yellow pine so the front profile is 2 1/4" which can crete some issues but we deal with it, I like the thicker front profile. If I do a copper back splash I silicone the counter to the wall and then cover the joint with copper tiles made by breaking copper onto 3/8" plywood generally 3" tall by 16" to 32" long set tight to the counter and to eachother with a hardwood cap. They are all slightly different, it's an inexpensive way to do a nice looking top. I'm paying about $75 for a 3 x 10 sheet of 16 oz copper.------------------
"You cannot work hard enough to make up for a sloppy estimate."
That sounds interesting. Can you post a picture??
Here are some photos from the copper top we did today. That glue Sphere recommended was fabulous. we set the lasst piece and had it clamped when we discovered we were 1/4" out of registration. loostened the clamps and gently slid it to rights. Try that with contact adhesive! Many thanks to Sphere.
I don't know how to insert the pictures in the text so I just added captions as file names.
I thought I was uploading them in a logical order but I see that that was optimistic on my part sorry about that.
Anyway, it's an inexpensive way to do a counter top that looks cooler than formica but it's soft and rustic and ages to a pretty cool patina. A local bar had a tenderizing party when they put in a new top and gave out hammers and let the patrons hammer on it.
Total cost $150 for the two 3x10 16oz copper sheets, 50 bucks for the glue, and the regular set up for formica, and six or seven hours for two guys to fold it all in.
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"You cannot work hard enough to make up for a sloppy estimate."
Great job! I shoulda said to roll the geocel, but hey..it looks great. Nice inner folds there..hell, you could be a roofer in no time..LOLSpheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
We figured out we should be rolling the geocel but were into it when we realized. seems to have turned out okay none the less. thanks for the help.
m------------------
"You cannot work hard enough to make up for a sloppy estimate."
I swear every pc. of clothing I own has Geocel on it, from my full time copper days. It is awesome stuff.
I wish lexel would make a brushable version, it has a little better adhesive quality, but only slightly. And it sets up a bit harder than Geo.
Really nice job there on the counter.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
Sphere,The brushable version of Lexel is called Through The Roof.KK
I wondered about that..I saw an ad for it and it was made by sashco same as Lexel and Big Stretch. Thanks.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
One of my old waterin' holes in Santa Fe had a copper bar.
They used to shine that puppy up every Sunday with vinegar and salt,
and run us all out to the parkin' lot._______
/_|o[____]o
[1---L-OllllllO-
()_)()_)=°°=)_)
My buddy Dale , who still works with Grant, did a few tavern tables in a local bar. They don't do anything but wipe up the beer and blood. Still look nice, aged, but not fully patina'd.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
Great info on the Geocell. I never knew it's versatility!
thanks
Mighty nice work! Thanks for posting the step-by-step pics!
That copper top is really nifty.
I have a small role in the barn that I am saving for a bar top some day. Your picts are getting me excited but that project is a year or two down the road.